Plumbing costs vary by job type, urgency, and location. A plumber's service call runs $85–$175, with hourly labor on top at $45–$200/hour. Most common repairs — drain cleaning, leak fixes, faucet replacements — land in the $100–$500 range. Emergency and after-hours work costs significantly more.
| Service | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Service call / diagnostic fee | $85–$175 |
| Drain cleaning (single drain) | $100–$250 |
| Leak repair | $150–$400 |
| Faucet replacement | $150–$350 |
| Toilet repair | $130–$300 |
| Water heater (replace, 40 gal) | $900–$1,800 |
| Main line sewer cleaning | $350–$650 |
| Pipe repair (burst/broken) | $400–$1,500+ |
Emergency and same-day service typically adds $75–$150 to these rates. Weekend and holiday rates are higher.
Simple repairs (clogged drain, running toilet) cost far less than complex work (water heater replacement, pipe rerouting, sewer line repair).
Standard scheduling is cheapest. Next-day service adds $50–$100. Same-day emergency work adds $100–$200+ to the base rate.
Parts are usually billed at a markup over retail. A $30 faucet at the hardware store may cost $60–$90 installed through a plumber.
Easy-to-reach pipes cost less to fix. Pipes inside walls, under slabs, or in crawl spaces require more labor and can mean drywall repair costs on top.
Licensed plumber rates vary significantly by region — from $65/hr in rural markets to $200+/hr in high-cost cities.
Major work (water heater replacement, adding a bathroom) may require permits. Permit fees run $50–$300 and are usually passed through to the homeowner.
High-cost metros
$150–$250/hour
New York, San Francisco, Seattle, Boston
Mid-size cities
$90–$150/hour
Chicago, Denver, Dallas, Atlanta
Smaller cities & rural
$60–$100/hour
Rural Midwest, rural South, smaller towns
Regional ranges are approximate and vary by city, neighborhood, and individual contractor.
Try our free calculator. Adjust the options to see an instant price estimate for your situation.
Prices update in real time as you adjust options.
Estimated Price
$85.00
Updates in real time as you adjust options above
This is a free estimate tool. Prices are illustrative — not a formal quote.
Usually yes. A service call or diagnostic fee ($85–$175) covers the plumber's time to come out, diagnose the problem, and give you a quote. Some companies waive this fee if you hire them for the repair.
Drain cleaning services (like a Roto-Rooter franchise) specialize in clogs and basic drain work. Licensed plumbers can do everything: repairs, replacements, installations, gas lines, and complex work. For a simple clog, a drain service is often cheaper.
Signs of a serious leak: water stains growing on ceiling/walls, sounds of running water when everything is off, a sudden spike in your water bill, or visible mold. Turn off the main water supply and call a plumber. Don't wait — water damage compounds fast.
For large projects (water heater, bathroom remodel, sewer work), yes — get 2–3 quotes. For emergency repairs, your priority is getting it fixed fast. In non-emergency situations, comparing quotes can save 20–40%.
Give your customers instant price estimates. Capture leads automatically. No code required.
Try the full interactive demo calculator for Plumbing quotes.
Try the Plumbing calculator